Due to water resource allocation, watershed management, and river development, some rivers have exhibited a sharp decline in base flow, and more exposed riverbeds are being observed downstream. The exposed surface area is constantly expanding as a result of farmers being allowed to cultivate by the riverside.
The period spanning from October to April the following year coincides with the northeast monsoon and dry river period, resulting in dry sandstones, exposed river beds and fugitive dust by the rivers, as well as increased PM10 concentration that in turn affects the quality of people’s living environment.
In order to effectively curb and mitigate air quality deterioration as a result of fugitive dust by the river, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has collaborated with the Water Resources Agency, Forestry Bureau, and related local governments since November 2007 to assist special municipalities and county (city) governments to implement river fugitive dust prevention and improvement projects starting from 2011. In total, fugitive dust prevention and improvement projects were conducted along 9 rivers with severe fugitive dust problems, including the Jhuoshuei River, Daan River, Dajia River, Wu River, Gaoping River, Beinan River, Hualien River, Siouguluan River and Liwu River. The projects include fugitive dust forecasts, responses, promotion, protection and environmental cleaning, and regular reviews are carried out to evaluate the performance of these preventive measures.
On January 7, 2013, the EPA was tasked by the Executive Yuan to launch the “River Fugitive Dust Prevention and Improvement Program” and implement the “River Fugitive Dust Prevention and Improvement Action Plan”. Furthermore, in order to reinforce the prevention of river fugitive dust, the EPA has incorporated the “fugitive dust prevention” item into the Executive Yuan’s “Revised Clean Air Action Plan” as one of the 10 major reinforcement measures. The aim is to proactively implement river fugitive mitigation and preventive measures.
On December 14, 2017, the Executive Yuan approved the draft amendment to the “Air Pollution Control Act” and proposed the “Air Pollution Control Action Plan” on December 21, 2017. In order to mitigate river fugitive dust pollution, the various departments will continue improving inter-departmental communication in order to strengthen source management and environmental cleaning.
Considering the severity of the river fugitive dust, the EPA has shortlisted the Jhuoshuei River, Gaoping River, Beinan River and Liwu River as key implementation sites. The project has brought together domestic and international dust prevention techniques to propose feasible approaches based on the characteristics of various rivers in the country. This year, the EPA helped convene 4 project meetings and 3 site visits. In addition, in conjunction with site visits by related units, the EPA has coordinated with them through the conference coordination platform to confirm work allocation before and after the flood season, preventive technique implementation in fugitive dust-prone areas, and the scheduling of various operations, as well as to review the performance of river fugitive dust prevention and improvement efforts.
Taking the Jhuoshuei River as an example, the Executive Yuan approved the “Jhuoshuei River Fugitive Dust Prevention and Improvement Action Plan” on April 20, 2018. Three major frameworks were implemented, including hydrology, afforestation and disaster contingencies, to execute all-encompassing fugitive dust prevention measures.
In response to river fugitive dust, environmental protection departments in various municipalities have formulated a river fugitive dust prevention SOP and contingency system. Depending on the geographic characteristics of different rivers, climate and degree of river fugitive dust pollution, various response categories and standards have been devised. Furthermore, the application of Internet and communication software improves reporting efficiency and allows for real-time updates of responses taken by various units. The contingency measures are announced through the Internet and the media so that the public can receive the latest information and take the necessary preventive and response measures.
In an effort to strengthen river fugitive dust responses, a warning system has been established for the program. When the level of PM10 at various river fugitive dust advanced warning stations reaches a certain concentration, an alert message is sent to related personnel, so that the intensity of fugitive dust response measures can be increased and expanded. The public will also be reminded to pay attention to environmental safety and avoid venturing outside.
The program also includes archived information on performances and achievements of local municipalities from over the years. From 2012 to 2017, the local municipalities have hosted 303 education and promotion briefings that were attended by 34,195 people. In addition, 61 drills were organized. As of June 2018, 15 promotion briefings were held for 2,501 people. From 2012 to 2017, a total of 489,220.2km of the environment had been cleaned up. From January to June in 2018, various municipalities have cleaned up a total of 45,550.977 of the environment.
For expected river fugitive dust improvement goals and implementation strategy at various key rivers, related units have reached a consensus through the EPA’s project meetings and local meetings concerning the direction of execution. Most of the work involved before and during the flood season consists of planning and subcontracting various fugitive dust prevention projects. Currently, projects for most rivers have been subcontracted, and rolling revision will be conducted depending on subsequent changes in the exposed land after the flood season in order to embrace the challenges associated with the northeast monsoon and the fugitive dust season.
